Water tricycle



May 3, 1966 T. PLANTS 3,249,084

WATER TRI CYCLE Filed Sept. 1, 1964 Theodore P/ams ZNVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,249,084 WATER TRICYCLE Theodore Plants, De Witt, Ark. (Air Base Post Oifice, Newport, Ark.) Filed Sept. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 393,677 7 Claims. (Cl. 11525) This invention generally relates to water tricycles particularly although by no means necessarily, for small children and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vehicle of this character comprising unique tricycle type propulsion means.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide a water tricycle of the aforementioned character which is safe and which, further, will develop a childs coordination and its sense of balance.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an occupant propelled water tricycle which may be used in shallow water and which is adapted to readily negotiate marsh grass, small obstructions, etc.

Another object is to provide a water tricycle of the character set forth comprising a seat which is longitudinally adjustable to accommodate children of various sizes.

Another object is to provide a water tricycle which comprises comparatively few moving parts.

Other objects are to provide a water vehicle or tricycle which is relatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a pact hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a water tricycle constructed in accordance with the present invention, one of the floats being shown broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section on an enlarged scale through the bottom portion of the device taken substantially on the line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view in cross section on an enlarged scale through the seat securing means, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially U-shaped frame of suitable metal which is generally designated by reference numeral 4. The legs 6 of the substantially U-shaped frame 4 terminate in laterally and downwardly curved rear or free end portions 8 having alfixed to their lower ends transversely aligned tubular bearings 10.

A rear axle or shaft 12 of suitable metal is journaled for rotation in the bearings 10. The end portions of the shaft or axle 12 project beyond the bearings and fixedly mounted thereon is a pair of rear cylindrical floats 14 of suitable metal. The floats 14, it will be noted, are transversely aligned.

A vertical tubular standard or head 16 has an upper end portion fixed at 18 in a bight portion of the frame 4. A post or the like 20 is mounted for rotation in the head 16. The post 20 extends upwardly beyond the head 16 and has affixed to its upper end portion a handle bar 22. Aifixed to the lower end of the post 20 is a tubular bearing 24 on which the head 16 rests.

A front axle in the form of a crank shaft 26 is journaled for rotation in the bearing 24. Adjacent the ends of the bearing 24, the front axle or shaft 26 comprises foot cranks or pedals 28. Outwardly of the foot 3,249,084 Patented May 3, 1966 "ice cranks or pedals 28, aligned cylindrical front floats 30 are alfixed to the shaft 26. Radial vanes or paddles 32 are fixedly mounted longitudinally on the cylindrical floats 30.

A bicycle type seat 34 is mounted on the frame 4. The seat 34 is adjustable longitudinally on the frame 4 to accommodate riders of various sizes. Toward this end, the seat 34 in the embodiment which has been shown, comprises a securing clamp 36. The clamp 36 includes a pair of double jaws 38 which receive the legs 6 of the frame 4 therebetween. A screw or bolt 40 clamps the jaws 38 on the frame legs 6.

It is thought that the operation of the vehicle will be readily apparent from the consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the rider occupies the seat 34 and grips the handle bar 22 with his feet resting on the pedals or cranks 28. The front axle or shaft 26 is then manually rotated in an obvious manner for driving the paddle floats 30, thus propelling the vehicle. Of course, steering is accomplished by turning the handle bar 22. The cranks 28 comprise rotary sleeves 42 which receive the feet of the user. If desired, a tandem seat 44 may be mounted on the frame 4 rearwardly of the seat 34. A transverse brace 46 extends between the legs 6 and the frame 4 adjacent the curved portions 8 of said legs. The construction, combination and arrangement of parts is such that the vehicle will readily negotiate shallow water, swamp grass, small debris, etc. Also, the device may be propelled rearwardly as well as forwardly, as will be apparent. As hereinbefore indicated, the device is primarily for use by children, the widely spaced pairs of front and rear floats insuring maximum stability and safety. However, the device may also be used by fishermen and others, if desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A water vehicle comprising a frame, a rear axle mounted on said frame, a rotary front axle mounted for horizontal swinging movement on the frame, transversely spaced and aligned cylindrical floats aflixed to the front and rear axles, said front axle including foot cranks for manually rotating said front axle and the floats thereon, a seat on the frame, and means for swinging said front axle for steering the vehicle.

2. A Water vehicle comprising a frame, a rear axle mounted on said frame, a rotary front axle mounted for horizontal swinging movement on the frame, transversely spaced and aligned cylindrical floats affixed to the front and rear axles, said front axle including foot cranks for manually rotating said front axle and the floats thereon, a seat on the frame, and means for swinging said front axle for steering the vehicle, said means including a tubular vertical head on the front portion of the frame, a vertical rotary post in said head, a transverse tubular bearing on the lower end of the post rotatably receiving the front axle therethrough, and a handle bar on the upper end of the post.

3. The combination of claim 2, together with radical propulsion vanes aflixed to the second-named floats.

4. The combination of claim 3, said head resting on said bearing.

5. A water tricycle comprising a generally U-shaped, onepiece frame including spaced, parallel legs comprising outwardly laterally and downwardly curved rear end portions, a rear axle mounted transversely on the legs, cylindrical floats aflixed to the axle, a generally vertical tubular head fixedly mounted in the bight portion of the frame, a rotary steering post in the head, a front axle rotatably mounted on the lower end of the post, cylindrical propulsion floats affixed to said front axle, a handlebar on the post, a seat, and means for securing said seat for longitudinal adjustment on the frame, said front axle including foot cranks operable from the seat.

6. The combination of claim 5, said propulsion floats comprising radial peripheral vanes.

7. The combination of claim 6, together with transversely aligned tubular hearings on the free ends of the legs rotatably receiving the rear axle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,428 8/ 1892 Shelley 1152 5 632,276 9/ 1899 Oltmann 115-2 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,332,689 6/ 1963 France.

10 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

1. A WATER VEHICLE COMPRISING A FRAME, A REAR AXLE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, A ROTARY FRONT AXLE MOUNTED FOR HORIZONTAL SWINGING MOVEMENT ON THE FRAME, TRANSVERSELY SPACED AND ALIGNED CYLINDRICAL FLOATS AFFIXED TO THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES, SAID FRONT AXLE INCLUDING FOOT CRANKS FOR MANUALLY ROTATING SAID FRONT AXLE AND THE FLOATS THEREON, A SEAT ON THE FRAME, AND MEANS FOR SWINGING SAID FRONT AXLE FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE. 